Kira Mann

Kira serves as CEO of MitoAction and champions the growth of the programs and services offered by MitoAction. Her priority is to ensure that each and every person affected by mitochondrial disease knows they are not alone and that the MitoAction team will be here every step of their journey. Kira is committed to stewarding key funding opportunities, strengthening the organization’s business development and governance and working with the community to increase MitoAction’s national impact and presence in the areas of aware- ness, education and advocacy.

“I am honored to lead this incredible team who works tirelessly each and every day on behalf of the amazing community we serve. I love hearing from our families, and I welcome you to reach out, share your story and help ensure that MitoAction is doing everything we can to pro- vide the support and services that are most meaningful to you.”

Contact Kira at kira@mitoaction.org or call 248-797-2399.

Stephanie Harry

Stephanie’s son was diagnosed in 2008 with LCHAD deficiency. She spent her son’s early years educating herself through research, journal articles, work groups, and clinicians. She worked alongside her son’s dietitian to publish a children’s book called “My Special Body” geared toward educating young children with LC-FAODs. She is passionate about education, mentorship, and advocacy. In 2022 Stephanie joined the MitoAction team to support the greater mitochondrial community.

“I am so excited to be a part of the MitoAction team! My goal is to always create a safe inquisitive space where people feel loved, listened to and have continued access to meaningful resources. I look forward to connecting with each family and patient, and feel honored to walk this journey with you!”

Contact Stephanie at sharry@mitoaction.org.

Georgianne Arnold, MD, Phd

Dr. Arnold graduated from Indiana University with degrees in biology and chemistry, and has a Masters degree in Medical Genetics from Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis. She graduated from medical school from Upstate Medical University, and completed a residency in Pediatrics at Northwestern University. Her genetics training was at the University of Colorado and she is boarded in Clinical Biochemical Genetics and Clinical Genetics.

Dr. Arnold was Clinical Director and most recently Clinical Research Director at the University of Pittsburgh. She is an Emeritus Professor, and a consultant with VMP Genetics. Dr. Arnold is the past president of the Society for Inherited Metabolic Disorders, and recipient of the Shapira award for the best member’s paper in Molecular Genetics and Metabolism. She has a long-standing interest in fatty acid oxidation disorders, working with Dr. Vockley for 13 years.

Stephanie Harry

Stephanie’s son was diagnosed in 2008 with LCHAD deficiency. She spent her son’s early years educating herself through research, journal articles, work groups, and clinicians. She worked alongside her son’s dietitian to publish a children’s book called “My Special Body” geared toward educating young children with LC-FAODs. She is passionate about education, mentorship, and advocacy. In 2022 Stephanie joined the MitoAction team to support the greater mitochondrial community.

“I am so excited to be a part of the MitoAction team! My goal is to always create a safe inquisitive space where people feel loved, listened to and have continued access to meaningful resources. I look forward to connecting with each family and patient, and feel honored to walk this journey with you!”

Contact Stephanie at sharry@mitoaction.org.

Melanie Gillingham, PhD, RD, LD

Dr. Melanie Gillingham’s research in the Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics has focused on various novel therapies for fatty acid oxidation disorders. For 20 years, Dr. Gillingham and her colleagues have conducted clinical trials in subjects with disorders in the fatty acid oxidation pathway. She has examined the effects of medium chain triglycerides (MCT) supplements prior to exercise on exercise performance among subjects with long-chain 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (LCHAD) deficiency receiving the Emmanuel Shapira Award for best paper in Molecular Genetics and Metabolism. The Gillingham lab has evaluated the effects of increased dietary protein on metabolic control and energy balance in subjects with LCHAD, carnitine palmitoyltransferase 2 (CPT-2) and very long-chain acylCoA dehydrogenase (VLCAD) deficiencies. In a separate study, Dr. Gillingham conducted supervised metabolic fasting studies in young children with a polymorphism of the CPT1A gene to determine if they have an altered fasting response similar to other fatty acid oxidation disorders.

In 2014, a group of FAO researchers, under the leadership of Dr. Jerry Vockley, founded the International Network for Fatty Acid Oxidation Research and Management (INFORM), an international group working for the advancement of medical and nutrition therapies for fatty acid oxidation disorders (www.informnetwork.org). Dr. Gillingham participates on the organizing committee of INFORM.

Dr. Vockley and Dr. Gillingham completed a randomized trial to examine the effects of an odd-chain fatty acid supplement, triheptanion, on myopathy and cardiac function of patients with long-chain fatty acid oxidation disorders. This is the largest randomized controlled trial conducted in these disorders to date and was recently selected for the Garrod award by the Society for the Study of Inborn Errors of Metabolism (SSIEM). Dr. Gillingham has also conducted a series of studies examining the etiology of retinopathy in LCHAD and the role of diet in the progression of vision loss. Dr. Gillingham is currently conducting a larger natural history study of LCHAD retinopathy.

Pamela Tucker, DPT, PT

Dr. Pamela Tucker, PT, DPT, is a physical therapist at Bethany Children's Health Center, where she practices on the medical rehabilitation unit, specializing in the care of medically complex pediatric patients. She earned her undergraduate degree from Duke University and her doctorate in Physical Therapy from Franklin Pierce University.

Dr. Tucker brings a diverse clinical background spanning acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, and outpatient physical therapy, with experience treating infant, pediatric, and adult populations. Her clinical expertise focuses on neurorehabilitation, functional mobility, and optimizing participation and independence across the continuum of care.

A recognized national and international speaker, Dr. Tucker has contributed to the advancement of rehabilitation practice through multiple peer-reviewed publications and professional presentations. She is committed to translating evidence into practice and advancing interdisciplinary care for individuals with complex medical and neurological conditions. Her research interests include physical therapy interventions for children with inherited metabolic disorders, aquatic physical therapy, concussion management, and robotic-assisted mobility training. Dr. Tucker is currently working on a physical therapy protocol to recover from rhabdomyolysis.

Brian Weber, DPT, CFMT, FFMT, FAFS, FAAOMPT

Brian Weber, DPT, CFMT, FFMT, FAFS, FAAOMPT is the founder of KINECIO Physical Therapy in Woodbury, Minnesota, where he specializes in second opinions and complex case management. Dr. Weber received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Iowa and completed fellowships in Functional Manual Therapy through the Institute of Physical Art and Applied Functional Science through the Gray Institute. His work focuses on integrating advanced manual therapy, movement science, and whole-body clinical reasoning to improve movement, performance, and quality of life.

Chen Zhang

Chen Zhang received her Master’s degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. Prior to joining Aarhus University, she worked as a research assistant at Qilu Hospital, China, where her research focused on mitochondrial diseases.

Chen Zhang is currently a PhD student in the Department of Clinical Medicine at Aarhus University, Denmark. Her research centers on developing and applying the “LCHADD PN-in-a-dish” model in combination with biochemical analyses and multi-omics approaches to investigate fatty acid oxidation-related neuropathy. Through this work, she aims to advance the understanding of peripheral neuropathy in LCHADD and related metabolic disorders, including diabetes, and to support the development of future therapeutic strategies.

Jerry Vockley, MD, PhD, FACMG

Dr. Vockley received his undergraduate degree at Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and received his MD and PhD degrees in Medicine and Genetics from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He completed his pediatric residency at the Denver Children’s Hospital, Denver, Colorado, and his postdoctoral fellowship in Human Genetic and Pediatrics at Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut. Before assuming his current position in Pittsburgh, Dr. Vockley was Chair of Medical Genetics in the Mayo Clinic School of Medicine. 

Dr. Vockley is internationally recognized as a leader in the field of inborn errors of metabolism. His current research focuses on mitochondrial energy metabolism, novel therapies for disorders of fatty acid oxidation and amino acid metabolism, and population genetics of the Plain communities in the United States. He has published over 400 peer reviewed scholarly articles and is the principal or Co-investigator on multiple NIH grants. Dr. Vockley also has an active clinical research program and participates in and consults on multiple gene therapy trials. Dr. Vockley has served on numerous national and international scientific boards including the Advisory Committee (to the Secretary of Health and Human Services) on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children where he was chair of the technology committee. He has been elected as a Fellow/Member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Association of American Physicians, and the American Society for Clinical Investigation. 

Dr. Vockley is a Founding Fellow of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, and currently serves on its board of directors. He is co-founder and co-chair of the International Network on Fatty Acid Oxidation Research and Therapy (INFORM). He has served as chair of the Pennsylvania State Newborn Screening Advisory Committee and is a past president of the Society for the Inherited Metabolic Disorders (SIMD). He is co-founder and editor of the SIMD North American Metabolic Academy. He provides support for numerous family advocacy groups including MitoAction, the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation, the National PKU Association, and the Organic Acidemia Association. He has received the National Organization of Rare Diseases Scientific and Medical Trailblazer Rare Impact Award (2025) The Organic Acidemia Association Award of Excellence (2021), and the March of Dimes Champion for Babies Award (2015).

Melanie Gillingham, PhD, RD, LD

Dr. Melanie Gillingham’s research in the Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics has focused on various novel therapies for fatty acid oxidation disorders. For 20 years, Dr. Gillingham and her colleagues have conducted clinical trials in subjects with disorders in the fatty acid oxidation pathway. She has examined the effects of medium chain triglycerides (MCT) supplements prior to exercise on exercise performance among subjects with long-chain 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (LCHAD) deficiency receiving the Emmanuel Shapira Award for best paper in Molecular Genetics and Metabolism. The Gillingham lab has evaluated the effects of increased dietary protein on metabolic control and energy balance in subjects with LCHAD, carnitine palmitoyltransferase 2 (CPT-2) and very long-chain acylCoA dehydrogenase (VLCAD) deficiencies. In a separate study, Dr. Gillingham conducted supervised metabolic fasting studies in young children with a polymorphism of the CPT1A gene to determine if they have an altered fasting response similar to other fatty acid oxidation disorders.

In 2014, a group of FAO researchers, under the leadership of Dr. Jerry Vockley, founded the International Network for Fatty Acid Oxidation Research and Management (INFORM), an international group working for the advancement of medical and nutrition therapies for fatty acid oxidation disorders (www.informnetwork.org). Dr. Gillingham participates on the organizing committee of INFORM.

Dr. Vockley and Dr. Gillingham completed a randomized trial to examine the effects of an odd-chain fatty acid supplement, triheptanion, on myopathy and cardiac function of patients with long-chain fatty acid oxidation disorders. This is the largest randomized controlled trial conducted in these disorders to date and was recently selected for the Garrod award by the Society for the Study of Inborn Errors of Metabolism (SSIEM). Dr. Gillingham has also conducted a series of studies examining the etiology of retinopathy in LCHAD and the role of diet in the progression of vision loss. Dr. Gillingham is currently conducting a larger natural history study of LCHAD retinopathy.

Georgianne Arnold, MD, Phd

Dr. Arnold graduated from Indiana University with degrees in biology and chemistry, and has a Masters degree in Medical Genetics from Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis. She graduated from medical school from Upstate Medical University, and completed a residency in Pediatrics at Northwestern University. Her genetics training was at the University of Colorado and she is boarded in Clinical Biochemical Genetics and Clinical Genetics.

Dr. Arnold was Clinical Director and most recently Clinical Research Director at the University of Pittsburgh. She is an Emeritus Professor, and a consultant with VMP Genetics. Dr. Arnold is the past president of the Society for Inherited Metabolic Disorders, and recipient of the Shapira award for the best member’s paper in Molecular Genetics and Metabolism. She has a long-standing interest in fatty acid oxidation disorders, working with Dr. Vockley for 13 years.

Pamela Tucker, DPT, PT

Dr. Pamela Tucker, PT, DPT, is a physical therapist at Bethany Children's Health Center, where she practices on the medical rehabilitation unit, specializing in the care of medically complex pediatric patients. She earned her undergraduate degree from Duke University and her doctorate in Physical Therapy from Franklin Pierce University.

Dr. Tucker brings a diverse clinical background spanning acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, and outpatient physical therapy, with experience treating infant, pediatric, and adult populations. Her clinical expertise focuses on neurorehabilitation, functional mobility, and optimizing participation and independence across the continuum of care.

A recognized national and international speaker, Dr. Tucker has contributed to the advancement of rehabilitation practice through multiple peer-reviewed publications and professional presentations. She is committed to translating evidence into practice and advancing interdisciplinary care for individuals with complex medical and neurological conditions. Her research interests include physical therapy interventions for children with inherited metabolic disorders, aquatic physical therapy, concussion management, and robotic-assisted mobility training. Dr. Tucker is currently working on a physical therapy protocol to recover from rhabdomyolysis.